2024 NCAAF Cheat Sheet: Mississippi State Bulldogs Stats & Odds

Plenty Of Key Offensive Players Headed Elsewhere For Mississippi State

Mississippi State scored more than just 17 points once in eight SEC games a season ago as the Bulldogs failed to capitalize on an early non-conference win against a ranked Arizona squad.

The 2023 season was the first since the death of former head coach Mike Leach. Zach Arnett was named the interim head coach after Leach was hospitalized late in the 2022 season with the interim tag being removed heading into the 2023 season.

The Arnett era didn’t last long, as he was fired with two college football games left in the 2023 regular season. Greg Knox was named the interim head coach.

In conference play, only Vanderbilt averaged fewer yards per game than Mississippi State. The 12.6 points per game in conference games were the fewest for a team from the SEC since Missouri in 2015.

The Bulldogs had more running plays than passing plays in 2023, something that wasn’t going to happen when Leach was running the offense. What will the 2024 Mississippi State Bulldogs stats look like under new head coach Jeff Lebby?

• The Bulldogs were 1-3 as the road team last season and just 1-7 as the underdog.

Vanderbilt was the only SEC team to cover less frequently during the 2023 season than Mississippi State. Mississippi State was 1-6-1 against the spread as the underdog and 1-5 following a loss.

• Mississippi State headed into last season with +20000 odds of winning the national title, and came in at +12000 in the SEC championship odds.
• The Bulldogs lost four of their last five games as they failed to deliver at +135 to go over 6.5 regular-season wins.

The Bulldogs failed to qualify for a college bowl game for the first time since 2009, and that was also the last time that Mississippi State had back-to-back losing seasons.

Mississippi State finished only ahead of Vanderbilt in the SEC preseason poll. The Bulldogs joined Vanderbilt as the only teams without a college football player among the 89 selected to the first, second, and third preseason All-SEC teams.

Mississippi State Bulldogs At A Glance

Bulldogs Look To Soar with Shapen

Baylor transfer Blake Shapen is expected to be the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs. Only three of the eight players with at least 10 catches return for Mississippi State.

Second-leading rusher Seth Davis is expected to miss the season after suffering a knee injury.

Safety Corey Ellington is the top returning tackler for Mississippi State. De’Monte Russell and Deonte Anderson lead the list of returning linemen but transfers and perhaps even some true freshmen may have to step into key roles.

Mississippi State’s class of incoming transfers was ranked last in the SEC. That could impact the NCAA football predictions.

The Bulldogs saw starting quarterback Will Rogers transfer to Washington, leading rusher Woody Marks land at USC, second-leading receiver Zavion Thomas go to LSU and offensive tackle Percy Lewis sign with Auburn.

Buffalo tight end Cameron Ball, North Texas offensive lineman Ethan Miner, South Carolina linebacker Stone Blanton, Louisville receiver Kevin Coleman, and Utah State running back Davon Booth are the top incoming transfers for the Bulldogs.

Receivers Mario Craver, Braydon Burnside, and JJ as well as offensive tackle Jimothy Lewis Jr. were the top recruits signed by the Bulldogs.

Blake Shapen Named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watchlist

📰 » https://t.co/usdTtsicy0#HailState pic.twitter.com/4qbxvMnJDR

— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) August 15, 2024

• Championship Odds: Long Road Ahead For New Coaching Staff

Another 5-7 season might be considered a success based on the players who are no longer at Mississippi State.

The non-conference slate features Eastern Kentucky, Arizona State, and Toledo before Mississippi State jumps into conference play so there will be opportunities to build momentum with some positive college football scores. However, there is a lot of work to do before the Bulldogs can be a factor in the national championship picture.

𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟮𝟱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗼𝗼𝗻#HailState | @HailState pic.twitter.com/4KxGhI6zZt

— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) August 15, 2024

• Conference Odds: Some Tough Sledding For the Bulldogs

Let’s start with the bad news. Vanderbilt, the only team behind Mississippi State in the SEC preseason poll, is not on the schedule. Six ranked teams are. Even with the bye week separating them, the back-to-back games against Texas and Georgia are going to be a problem. Did we mention that both of those games are on the road?

The NCAAF regular season ends against No. 15 Tennessee, No. 11 Missouri, and No. 6 Ole Miss with two of those games also on the road. That does not bode well for the 2024 Mississippi State Bulldogs stats.

• Regular Season Wins: Can The Bulldogs Exceed Low Expectations?

When looking at the 2024 Mississippi State stats, the Bulldogs would need to win just one SEC game if they sweep the four non-conference games. The home game against Arkansas might be the best chance for that to happen.

Wins over Eastern Kentucky, Arizona State, Toledo and UMass would result with the Bulldogs landing right on the regular-season win projections. Anything above that would be considered a success. Tread carefully when looking at the RSW options for Mississippi State.

• To Make Playoffs: Not Going To Happen

There will be multiple SEC teams in the College Football Playoff field now that the bracket has expanded from four to 12 teams. If Mississippi State is one of those teams, one of the roads on the Mississippi State campus should be renamed for first-year head coach Jeff Lebby with at least one statue being erected on campus.

The goal should be to win six games and earn a bowl bid and even that might be asking a bit too much.

Side Bets

When it comes to the best college football bets today, perhaps there are some adventurous souls willing to take the +5000 odds for Blake Shapen to lead the SEC in passing yards. That is a pretty risky bet with Heisman Trophy contenders Carson Beck of Georgia, Jalen Milroe of Alabama, and Quinn Ewers of Texas in the SEC.

For college football betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

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• 2024 NCAAF Cheat Sheet: Kentucky Wildcats Stats Odds
• 2024 NCAAF Cheat Sheet: Florida Gators Stats & Odds
• 2024 College Football Preview: AP Poll Rankings vs. The Odds

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